Accelerator foot control and adjustment mechanisms



Oct. 13, 1959 N. P. DI GIOVANNI 2,908,183

ACCELERATOR FOOT CONTROL AND ADJUSTMENT MECHANISMS Filed April 21. 195s s Sheets-Sheet 1 w z wmz Oct. 12., 1959 P. D1 GIOVANNI 2,908,183

ACCELERATOR FOOT CONTROL AND ADJUSTMENT MECHANISMS Filed Ap ril 21. 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 50 f5/ I Oct. 13, 1959' I N. P. DI GIOVANNI 2,908,183

7 ACCELERATOR FOOT CONTROL AND ADJUSTMENT mcmnrsus Filed A i n 21. 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR ATTORN EYS Oct. 13, 1959 N. P. DI GIOVANNI 2,908, 83

ACCELERATOR FOOT CONTROL AND ADJUSTMENT MECHANISMS Filed April 21, 1953 r 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 'IIIII/IFIIIIIIII:IlllfIIII/IIIIII M M )1), IIIIIIII IIlI/IIIIIlI/IM gm)JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllllllll/UI 12/ I v 9 INVENTOR lVaRMAA/ A D/61o mMv/ /20 i Mg/M O t- 13, 1959 N. P. DI GIOVANNI- 2,908,183

I ACCELERATOR FDO'I CONTROL AND ADJUSTMENT MECHANISMS Filed April 21,1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I NVENTOR Noam 190/ /ommv/ ATTORNEYS United StatesPatent ACCELERATOR FOOT CONTROL AND IVIECHANISMS Norman P. Di GiovannL Babylon, N.Y.

' Application April 21, 1953,*Serial No. 349,995

19 Claims. 01. 74 513 comprising means to alter the .eifective lengths of the linkages between the foot controls or pedals and valves and being effectively operable, by remote controls.

A more specific object ofthe present invention is to provide such mechanism whereby the eflfective length of the throttle valve operating linkage is alterable at will from a remote control readily accessible to the operator or automobile driver from his normal operating orv driving position, as in the drivers compartment, whereby he may quickly and easily adjust the still position of the accelerator foot control or pedal to that most convenient and comfortable to his physical characteristics. The still position of such foot control or pedal is that stationary position temporarily assumed by the foot control when the throttle valve is held biased to its engine-idling setting and without an operators foot resting upon or depressive force being applied to said foot control.

Another object of the present invention is to permit simple and rapid adjustment of the position of the accelerator foot control by a driver from a hand control readily accessible to him or her as he or she sits behind the automobile wheel; whereby the varying demands of tall and short stature, legs of different lengths, and the wearing of different styles of shoes having heels of widely different types and heights are readily accommodated to the attainment of the most comfort in driving.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter, set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

. For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to-the following detailed description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, of a part of a diagrammatic showing of a portion of an automobile, illustrating mount therein of an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, of the structure in the vicinity of means for altering the elfective length of the linkage between the accelerator foot control or pedal and the throttle valve illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and in section,,of a slightly modified form of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

20-20 of Fig. 19; a

22-22 of Fig. 19; and

Fig. 4 is an elevational view, similar to Figs. 2 and 3,

of an additional embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, showing a modified form of the invention as embodied in the linkage between the throttle valve and the accelerator pedal;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a still further modification of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view, with parts in section and broken away, illustrating a further modification of the present invention as embodied in the linkage connecting the shown accelerator to the illustrated throttle valve; 1

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on. line 8 80fFig.7;

' Fig. 9 is a side elevational view, with parts. broken away, showing a' modified form ofthe section of the linkage illustrated in Fig. 7 for varying the effective length thereof; Y

Fig; 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 of a further modified form; g i

Fig. 11 is a view similar to. Figs. 9 and 10 of still another modification;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 1'212 of Fig. 11, and showing certain of the structure in end elevation;

Fig. 13 is an axial section of another modificationof the adjustable section of the throttle "valve control linkage;

Fig. 14,is a side elevational view, with 'parts broken away and in section, of a modifiedform of the type of adjustable linkage section illustrated in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an axial section of still another modification of the type of. structure shown in Figs. 13 and 14; t

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away and in axial section, of a fluid pressure modification of the type of adjustable sections illustrated in Figs. 13, 14 and 15, and illustrating part of control means for operating the same; j

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16 of-a still further modification, but with the control means of Fig.; .16

omitted, since the latter may be used therewith;

Fig. 18 is an axial section of an electrically-operated modification of the adjustable linkage section device shown in Figs. 13to 17 inclusive; 1 j

Fig. 19 is an elevational perspective, with parts broken away, of still another embodiment of the present invention, and illustrating means for varying the effective length of the linkage connecting the accelerator pedal to the throttle valve; V a

Fig. 20 is a sectional detail taken substantially on line Fig. 21 is another side elevational perspectiyeof the structure shown in Fig. 19 and illustrating the structure thereof as viewed from the opposite side; j 4

Fig. 22 is a sectional view taken'substantially on line similar to Fig; embodiment Fig. 23 is an elevational perspective 19, illustrating a modified form of the shown in Figs. 19 to-22 inclusive. 1

Prior to the present invention, many attempts have been made to improve the conditions in the drivers comparement of an automobile, and the like, to increase his comfort. Such eiforts have included means for adjusting the position and elevation of the seat, leg and knee rest devices, and the structure of the fuel control treadle or Variations in peoples stature, length.

of drivers differing in those characteristics. For example,

a lady driver'wearing high-heeled pumps should find a f-Referring to ithedrawings, 'wher ein identifysimilar-parts throughout, it -vvill be seen from certain elevation and/orangular position of the accelerator pedal much more comfortable than some other "eleva- Figs land 2. that-an embodiment of the-present invenment of screw 51 in an internally threaded hole iii flange 49, while being'rotatably anchored in-flange-50., 'Thus, 7

when screw 51 is rotatedin one direction it causes the tion may be employed to advantage in an automobile, p,

- parts 'of-twhich are showndiagrammaticallyinfiFig. 1. As therein indicated, the car maybe provided with-the usual -driverscompartmentZS, having the usual 'steeringequipmfent 26, mounted in 'front of the dash or instrument board 27, rearwardly of the usual bulkhead or fire wall '28. The usual accelerator foot control, illustrated as a pedal 2.9,--is pivotally-mounted-at -30"in-the usual manner" to the floor board 31 in the drivers compartment 25 and -may, ii -desired, be-biasecl outwardly any suitable means such as .a spring, connected tothethro ttle valve l-inkage asdiagrammatically --illustrated-at 3-2; Theaocelerato'r pedal 29 is connected by suitable linkage means which suitably extends through into the-enginecompartmen't33'beneath the-hood34,there tobe connectedto the .operatingarm 35 of the usual throttle valve Preferably ;the means biasing thefootcontrol toanoutward position v is mounted between the throttlevalve and :the linkage adjusting mechanism of the present invention, as proposedin Fig. -1, and the-showingtherein is employed chiefly by way of illustration. 7 Further, the present means may be used toadvantageato adjust the elevation of an accelerator foot control when of another common type, such as a-springbiased button.

-In accordance With-the teachings of 'thepresent invention, theembodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2-;may comprise a link 36 extending through a hole in the floor board 31 to be pivotally connected to the accelerator pedal shown in Fig. -1 and, in turn, pivotally connectedto one end of a-lever 37--of the first class, preferably inthe form ofabellcrank. Bell crank -37--may be pivotally-mounted at 38 to bracket 39 on the -bulkhead 28. The other end of hell crank 37 may be connected by a link 40 to one end of asecond lever 41 of thefirst class, alsopreferably inthe-form of a-bell crank. Bell'crank'41' is:pivotally mounted at 42 to a movable bracket 43 and the otherend of the lever may be connected by a link -44to the-throttle valve arm 35. r

As will be best understood from Fig. 2,"the movable bracket 43 for changingthe-locat-ion of the-pivot point of the lever arm 41 may be mounted upon "a slidable plate 45. Plate 45 preferably has-a;pair of slots '46, 46 therein, each of'whichslidably receives the-shank, :of a headed bolt 47, suitably fixed to the bulkhead 28, such as by being anchored in a baseplate 48, which may be boltedor welded to the bulkhead. Preferably, the slidable plate 45 carries a flange 49' extending substantially normal thereto and opposed in spaeed-apartrelationto another normally-extending flange"50-onbase'plate 48. The movable plate 45 is to'be moved relative 'to the fixed base plate 48 frorna remote point readily accessible'to the driver'when he-is in the normal driving position in the drivers compartment 25. Accordingly, an advancing screw 51 maybe threadably received'through an'internall'y threaded hole 52 inbase plate flange 50 and rotatably connectedtothe movableplateor'bracket flange 49, such as bymeans of -a-pair-o'f abutment-collars 53,53 fixed to the screw and located on opposite sides of the latter flange, This may be reversed with the threaded .engageflanges 49 and 50 to approach each other and when rotated in the opposite direction it causes them to move away from each other. The adjusting screw 51 is suitably connected for rotation Ioa flexible shaft housed within flexible tubing or conduit 54, which may extend through a holeinihezbulkhead'i28 tobe supported., by.anytsuitable bracket 55;;upon'nthedash-or .instrurn ent lboard 27, with the flexible shaft .there provided with a manual hand knob 56 readily accessible to the driver.

The driver ;.may 118611116 embodiment -,.of :fthe Ld'evice shown in Figs. 1 and 2 .to. advantage after he has, by trial, determined that'the elevation and/or still angular position of the accelerator pedal 29 may be more suited to his comfort if changed. The'drivermay' effect such change in the still position of the accelerator pedal. 29

- without afiecting in any 'way the "engine idling speed setting or the position. .of'the throttle "valve; If the driver rotates'the.remote'hand control knob 56jto; cause.'its"flexi- "ble sha'ftto retract' the screw'51 relative to the i'flange 50,

the pivot point 42 of the upper bell crank 41 will 'be moved downwardly :with' its supporting bracket; 43 and 's'lidable plate'45. .As a, result, bell crank37 willbeswung iclock-wise so that'link36'will move to the left as viewed in Eigsll andZ-topermit the accelerator pedal :to swing out awayffrom the floor board '31. Rotation of "theha'nd control 'knob"56 :in the oppositedirection, o'f courSeQQWill advance the screw "51 from such retracted position to move thepivot. point- 42 upwardly so as to reverse the motion ofxthe parts, thereby causingthe acceleratorpe'dal 29 to be swung toward thefloor board 31 against spring biasing, "There will. be 'less resistance to theiha'n'd adjustment "o f'the linkage adjusting mechanism if the springbiasing is applied .to the "linkage ,valve and this mechanism. 7

:As proposed in Fig. '3, such movement of .the .pivot p0int42 maybe effected"by -aflexiblebable or pull ,wire

57,'having one end anchored'to flange 149 of sliclablev plate 145, movably. mounted relative to fixedibasepla'te 1'48fin a-manner-similar'to that describedabove. [The flange 1'50 on'fixed zbaseplate (148 may serve .to anchor one end of. theflexible tube housing "54 through which 'th'e pull' wire"5.7.may sli'de'and with theflatter provided :withja vpull and push'hand knob 581on theface of the dashboard 27. Pull on the "handknob "58 causes The pivot point 42 to raise so "as to swing. the accelerator pedal toward the floor'board, andpush on that control hand knoby'from'such extended pos'ition willtcause fthe pivotpoint to "be flmoved down to" swing the accelerator pedal awayffromthe'floor board. i i

As shown in Big. 4, bell crank 41 maybe pivotally mounted at a fixed pivotpoint i142 toma bracket 143,,fixed to the bulkhead '28. 'One arm 59.,o'f1b6llcrank41 ;r'nay be p'ivotallyconnected at 60"tjo allever afm .61 having one end connected to "link 36 and the .other lend slotted at '62, 'sliclably to receive ia'headefd pivot pin ,63 carried I on one side of an internally threaded Isleeve 'o lw A bracket .65, mounted on .bell .crankiarm 59,,mlaLy have rotatably connected thereto adjusting .screw :51, whichlis 'threadably received-through the pivoted sleeve. The

adjusting screw 51 is to 'be-rotated by .alflexible :shaft housed in flexible conduit 54, .-as .in theembodimentof Figs; 1 and f2, and to be operatedlby ahand 'kn ob such I as that proposedatl56.

In theFig. 4 embodiment, whenthe screw .51 is re tracted or backed out ofpivoted sleeve'64,.lever\arm=61 is swung counter clockwise .as there viewed- As. alresult, the link .36 is'pulled inwardly to cause .the accelerator pedal to be swung towlardthe ,fioor board.31. "when the adjusting. screw 51 is rotated in-theIoppos-ite direction, it will swing. the, lever arm 61 .rever. ely.in1the clockwise direction so as v to push thellink gfi outwardly to swing the acceleratoripedalaway from .the floorzbgard.

"between the throttle.

In the embodime nt illustrated in Fig.5, the acc'elerato'r pedal 29 may carry a fixed arm 66, extending through a hole-in the floor boardl3 1, and to which may be connected at 67 one end of a flexible cable 68 having its other'end connected at 69 to the throttle valve operating'arm 35, to serve as'the connecting linkage. The flexible cable 68 may be lapped against or trained over suitable movable guide means so as to alterthe elfective length thereof. Such movable guide means may' comprise a sheave or pulley 70, pivotally supported by a bifurcated member orfork 71' rotatably supported upon an adjusting screw151. The adjusting screw 151- may be threadably mounted through an internally threaded hole 52 in suitable fixed supporting means or bracket structure 150., Adjusting-screw 151 is to be rotated by the flexible shaft housed inthe flexible conduit 54, which again extends to a readily accessible point in the drivers compartment 25. I 1 j In' the Fig. 5 embodiment, the sheave 70 is preferably associated with fixed guide means, such as -a pair of sheaves or pulleys 72, 72, pivotally supported upon a fixed'structure -73. In such case, the movable sheave 70 is preferably located between or substantially intermediate of the two fixed-pivot sheaves'72, 72 to be movable by the adjusting screw 151 along a path extending transverse of a line extending between the guide sheaves 72, 72, or a run" 74 of the 'cable 68vextending therebetween. i

, In' operation'of advance of the adjusting screw 151 moves the sheave 70 downwardly so as to increase the length of the cable run 74. As a result, the effective lengthof-the linkage provided by cable '68 is shortened so as to swing the accelerator pedal arm 66 upwardly to cause the accelerator pedal 29 to be swung out away from the floor board 31., Conversely, with retraction of the adjusting screw 151. the cable run 74 is permitted to approach a straight line by raise of the sheave 70 to increase the effective length of the linkage cable 68, thereby permitting the accelerator pedal 29 to be swung toward the floor board 31. Of course, the accelerator pedal 29 will be suitably biased, such as bythe'force of gravity acting upon it and its arm 66; but ifdesired,such biasing may be supplemented by biasing spring means. Of course, pulley 70 may be omitted and pulleys.72, 72 mounted on a pivoted plate with the cable run 74 lappedvover one and under the other; whereby when the plate and pulleys are pivoted the cable run is foreshortened. i

In the embodiment proposed in Fig. 6,the accelerator pedal -arm,66 is connected at 75 by.flexible cable 168 to a quadrant. 76 fixed upon a torque sha-ft77 which operates the throttle valve. The cable 168 is lapped'about movable sheave 70, rotatably supported by fork 171, whichmay be mounted on sliding bracket plate 145, movable by adjusting screw51 relative to a fixed bracket 248, mounted upon bulkhead '28. and in the manner indicated above inconnection with 'Figs. l and 2.

In operation of, the embodimentshown in Fig; 6, sheave 70' may be raised byretracting the adjusting screw 51 from the remote control in the drivers compartment 25. As a result, the effective length of the linkage cable 168 is shortened to raisethe arm 66 and swing the accelera tor pedal 29 away from the floor board 31.- Lowering of the sheave 70 will increase the effective length of the link-age cable 168 so as to permit the accelerator pedal 29'to be swung toward the, floor board 31.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs.- 7 and 8, the linkage which connects ,the accelerator pedal 29 to the throttle valve arm 35 may include an adjustable section in the form of an adjustable bell crank 141, pivotally supported at 142 to fixed bracket 143 mounted on bulkhead 28. One arm 78 of adjustable bell crank 141 is .connected by link36'to the accelerator pedal. 29. The other arm L79 is connected :by-link .44 to the throttle valveoperating arm 35.. One arm, such as 78, may have the embodimentillustrated in Fig. 5,

an ofliset portion to alignthe bottom ends of the bell crank arms,; as shown. A wedging member is interposed between -the two bell crank arms 78 and 79 and pivotally carries, by means of pivot pin 81, a'block 82 having aninternally threaded hole 83 extending there- 'through'. One of the bell crank arms, for example, arm 78, carries a bracket 84 which rotatably and loosely supports adjusting screw 51. u The adjusting screw 51 is threadably received in the internally threaded'hole 83 extending through pivoted block 82.

Thus, when the adjusting screw 51 of the Figs."7 and 8 embodiment is advanced in the block 82, the wedge 80 is drawn upwardly as viewed in Fig. 7 so as to .increase the angle between the bell crank arms 78 and'79. As'a result, the distance between the links 36 and 44 is increased to increase the effectivelength of the linkage so as to swing the accelerator pedal 29 outwardly away from the floor board 31. Conversely, with retraction of the adjusting screw 51 in the pivoted block 82, wedge 80 is lowered, as viewed in Fig. 7, so as to decreaseth'e angle between the bell crank arms 78 and 79 to shorten the efiective length of the linkage and permit the accelerator pedal 29 to swing toward the floor board 31. If desired, a helical tension spring 84 may be employed to tie together or bias the free ends of the bell crank arm 78 and 79. The adjustable bell crank 141 thus constitutes an adjustable section in the linkage which-ties the accelerator pedal 29-to the throttle valve operating arm As shown in 'Fig. 9, the adjustable linkage section of the general type proposed in Figs. 7 and 8 may be modified as illustrated at 241. Arms 78 and 79 of the adjustable bell crank 241 may be caused to swing toward each other by retracting adjusting screw 51 in an internally threaded socket 85, or an internally threaded olfset block similar to that shown at 82 in Fig. 8,-pivotally supported at 86 upon the end of a'lever 87, whichis pivotally supported at 88 to the bell crank arm 79; The pivoted lever 87 carries a headed pin 89, which is' slidably received in a slot in the other bell crank arm 78. Thus, when the adjusting screw 51 is advanced in the socket 85, the lever 87 is swung upwardly in aClo'ck wise direction as viewed in Fig. 9, so as to slide the pin 89 upwardly in slot 90 thereby increasing the angle between and the'le'ngth of the linkage section comprising the adjustable bell crank arms'78 and 79. Rotation of screw 51 in'the opposite direction decreases the angle between arms 78 and 79, and thus the length of the adjustable linkage section. I

As proposed in Fig. 10, the adjustment of the e'flective length of linkage section of the type illustrated in Fig.9 may be effected by pull cable or Wire 57 rather than by means of a fiexible'shaft and adjusting screw, For this purpose, one end of the pull wire 57 is anchored at 186 to the lever 87 so that with pull on the Wirefthis lever will be swung upwardly in a clock-wise direction as viewed in Fig. 10 to increase the angle between the adjustable bell crank arms 78 and 79, as in the Fig. 9 embodiment. Push on the wire or cable 57 will swing the lever 87 downwardly in a counter clock-wise direction as viewed in Fig. 10 to decrease the angle between the adjustable bell crank arms 78 and 79. In that manner, theefi'ective length of' the adjustable linkage sectionis altered at will and from a remote control point.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the adjustable linkage section maybe embodied in the form of an adjustable bell crank 341. The bell crank arm 178 may be'provided with a worm gear-supporting bracket 91 comprising a pair of laterally spaced, substantially parallel journal arms 92, 92 which, rotatably support therebetween a worm 93. The worm 93 is meshed with a worm gear segment 94, carried by bell crank arm 179. Bell crank arms 178 and 179 are pivotally connected together by pin, 242 which mounts them tosuitable fixed bracket means 143; Thus, theangle between the adjustablebell eyaosass .device including .a sleeve 95, vrotatably supported l'll'l .a

housing 96v and carrying fixed thereto, suchras by :press fitting, agear.97 meshed with a wormi1'93, to be connected to the flexible :shaft for rotation from :the :remote control point.- The rotatable :sleevef95 is internally threaded .-and thethreads i n .the irightzhandend thereof are ropposite 'rin hand to the threads ,in :the :left .hand end tther'eof. Link'144has external-threads of ,.a proper hand, rthreadablyto: be received .in the right hand end;o'f

- 1-10 withtliguid, such .as -.oil orltbrake fluid, tthrough a fillerwducnclosable by a ;SCI.6Wi;P1 1g-j115. ,zAs ta; result,

' whennthe :serew 151 is rotatedithreadably 1o.;-advanee:into

sleevez95pand .-link, 1 36;has external threads which are oppositesinhand to those on link 1144 soas t'obe-threadably-received in the lefthand end of the sleeve"95 Thus,

Whemthe worm. 19*3-is- -rotated from the remote control point, .the gear 97 rotates-the sleeve 95 in a direction either 'tozthrea'd the ends .of the links .136 and 144 .out of thesleeve -95to increase the eifective'length of the linkagej-or todrawthem into the sleeve to-decrease the effective length ofzthe linkage. It will thus beviunderstoodtthat the structure ofFig. l3 .is'in the .nature ofxa turnbuckle, operated ,frorna remote control point by a worm zand gear rnechanism. 7

.As indicated ,in Fig. 14, the adjustable linkage-sec: tion may comprise a socketed elongated member 98 internallythreaded, threadably to receive adjusting screw 51. The adjusting-screw 51 and its operating means may be housed in a sleeve 99 abutted against a1col1ar 10.0 carried by flexible. conduit*54 in which .the sscrew-oper ating flexible shaft vis housed. Socketed member98 may carryran apertured ear l'l, connectableto linkage means associated with the accelerator pedal, such as link 3610f the, ;)r.evi0us embodiments; and thesleevfe 99 maycarry another apertured car .102 adapted-to be .connected .to throttle valve linkage, such as link 44 of previous embodiments. The foreshortening and lengthening function resultingfromscrewing the adjusting screw 51 in or out is obvious '-in thelight of the above-described operations ofrthepreceding embodiments. j

indicated -in Fig; 15, vone end of the accelerator pedal connectinglink 236 maybe suitably anchored to the pullcableyor wire '57 and with 'a sleeve -;199 .1similarto the sleeve r99-of Fig; -1'4, housing the connection. The flexible conduit 54 which houses the pull wire 57 may, if desired,'be anchored at 103, such'a by-Solder in-one endof'the-sleeve 199. -.As a=-result, pull and push on the cable57 respectively will telescope the link.236 into and push-itout ofthe sleeve 199,. The linking means connectedyto thethrottle-valvemay be'fastened. to the. aper- Ltured ;ear 102 carried by sleeve 1 99, as in the Fig, 14

developing operating or master cylinder $111., .Piston.

1121in-master cylinder Ill-may be connected to. ascrew themaster cylinder. 1451 the: piston I112 iszpushedzforwnnd therein to reduce rthfi :internal reapacitynof :that; cylinder. .Pressureistransmittedby the. liquid'toxthe slavercylingler chamber 108.;10, in'crease :the; capacity theneof'zbyipusb ing -.the piston .107 ;.outwar.d. .As .ia' :result,- athe. distance between the linkinggears-Jfll and :102, respectively scar- .ried by the :piston rod :105 and thezcylindera106,"; isliin creased. With rotation of the screw 5151M itheaop posite direction, the a piston I12 .i'sflpermitted ztoibe re- .t-racted in the. master cylinder. r111 ;by its biasing isprin-g 1113,, thereby 1 reducing :the pressure in the .-:slave icylinder chamber -108 to. permit the .biasi-ngkspting E-I:1'4'. to;pnsh' the-piston-107 forward, .therebyishortem'ng ithezdistance between the linking.ears2101andilll2. s a p As proposed in Fig. 17, a slave cylinder; 20.6 zmayzhave its chamber 208 communicated *via'ua-rductflm with a suitable liquid supply. .conduit; so "that .piston rod .205 carrying ithe .piston head '107 .may'gbe moved to the-right as viewed in Fig. .17:withrincreasedzpressure.' :liquid under pressure :may be supplied to duct 109 through flexible conduit .110 :fromsagdelvice similar to :that pro:

posed "in. Fig. 16, comprising :master -:.cyli nder .1'11, piston .112, and adjusting iscrew 1-51. -:Sncl1.movementzzoffithe piston 10.7 :toward thefrightjn Fig. "17 shortens the distance between the linking ear 101, carried by the:;piston rod, 205, and theIlinkinglearm1'02,..carriedi5by.eylinder 206, and against the biasing :force; of: arcompression spring 214. Uponcreduction-of thevpressurezin the islave cylind er chamberr208, the :biasing.-spring=21:4 is permittedato push the .piston.;107 towardtthe leftras viewe'd'in'iFig. 17

' so as to increase the .distance betweenthe linking-ears 101 .and' 102.

An electrically-controlled :embodiment of the present invention is diagrammatically illustrated :in 18 and,

astherein indicated, may comprise an elongated member i 198 carrying linking rear LL01 .and telescopically' received series with thecar battery i120 .and a control-switch or circuit-closing button 121,.and -1thelatter conveniently may be mounted ruponrthe dash board, diagrammatically illustrated-at.27.. Y

In'operation .of'the Fig 18 embodiment, with the linkingear .101 connected to the-accelerator pedal and the linking ear 102 connected to the throttle valve operatingarm, .theefiectivelength of the linkage may he shortened manually .at this-adjustable section when mi latched. Unlatching is .efiected by energizing the solenoid'1-19 with hand closure of the circuit 'atthe switch button 12.1:by the driver,:'who then applies foot pressure to the accelerator pedal forlinkageadjustment. 'The energized solenoid withdraws latch spin 117 'fromLone of the notches :116 in the member=198 to-perniit it' to -be telescoped into-the :sleeve .199by :such foot pressure in opposition to biasing force of compressiomspring 3214 in thesleeve 199. 'It is to be understood that since the force which :isito foreshortcn the linkage is to be -applied 15.1, -.thre.adab ly receivedfin one-end of thecylinder :1'1 1 andgoperable @by :a flexible shaft in conduit -54. Com-' by foot pressure against'the accelerator -pedal in -ope'ration of the Fig. 18 embodiment, it is 5 preferable that the biasing force'ofthe spring '214'be less than the biasing force applied to the-linkage at :the throttle valve 'bythe usuaLthrottle-valve spring, so 'that the foreshortening of the linkage by foot pressure will 1 not tend to 'change' the setting of the throttle valve.- A spring 122' in the solenoid. 1'19 causes the solenoid-cor'ellS to return the latch pin 117 to latching positionwith engagement into another one of the notches 116 upon deenergizationof the solenoid. tolock the parts in the seleoted adjusted 19 position Suchdeenergization is eifectedwhen the switch button 121 is released 'to permit the solenoid circuit to be opened. Of course, similar latching means may be mechanically operated by a pull wire, such as that proposed in Fig. 3. 1

The length of the Fig. l8'link-age section may be lengthened by again energizing the solenoid 119 to with draw the latch 117 from the notch 116 in which it is engaged and permitting the biasing spring 214 to push the'member 198a certain distance outwardly of the sleeve 199 with relief of foot pressure on the accelerator pedal. Thus, the driver may readily adjust the accelerator pedal to the angular position most comfortable to him by eifecting unlatching of the Fig. 18 device when he presses the control button 121. He adjusts the position of the pedal either by swinging it toward the floor board with his foot'or by lettingit swing away from the floor board with gradual release of foot pressure thereon, as he may desire. I

Asillustrated in the Figs. 19 to 22 inclusive embodiment, the accelerator pedal connecting link 36 may be connected to one end-of a lever 441 of the first class, pivotally mounted by pin 442 extending from one side of a movable or translatable block 123.'-"The other end of the lever 441 may be connected by a link 440 to one end of another lever 437, which may be of the first class, and having its other end connected by link 44 to the throttle valve operating'arm. The pivot of lever 437 at 438 may, as'indicated in Fig. 20, comprise a headed pill 438 telescopically received by a bushing sleeve 500 extending through and fixed to the lever 437, and through mounting bracket 124. If desired, spacing washers 501, 501 may be interposed respectively between the head of the'pin 438 and the mounting bracket 124, and the latter and the lever 437, with one end of the sleeve 500 received therethrough preferably to extend to the vicinity of the head of the pm 438. As illustrated in Fig. 20, the outer end of the sleeve 500 may extendappreciably beyond the outer face of the lever 437 to carry a set screw 502 for holding pin 438 therein and for a purpose to be explained later. 1

The mounting bracket 124, which is suitably supported in fixed position, such as by'having-a' base flange 50% thereof bolted to the engine block diagramatically indicated at 504, is provided with suitably spaced ears or arms, such as integral flanges 505, 505, 'extending'substantially normal to one side thereof, as is best seen in Fig. 21. The space between the opposed faces of the flanges 505, 505' is appreciably greater than the width of the translatable block 123 to permit appreciable traverse motion of the block "therebetween. Economical manufacture of the embodiment proposed in Figs. 19 to 22 incl. may dictate that theflarnges- 505, 505 be dinked out of the plate stock of the bracket 124 itself, and then bent at right angles relative thereto as'shown. Such product-ion procedure leaves a substantially rectangular hole 506 1111116 bracket'plate 124, which maybe bridged by opposed wings-500', v507 provided on and made integralwith the-top andbottom sides of the block 123,

. and with the outside faces of these wings substantially aligned with the back face of the block. The wings 507, 507 thus serve to slide .along the face of-those portions of the flange-124 remaining above and below the hole 506 to prevent rotation of the block 123. If desired, the, top wing 507 may carry pivot pin 442, as will be seen from Figs. 21 and 22. v f f The translatable block 123prefera'bly is provided with a through here 508, which is internally threaded, thread? ably to receive an adjusting screw 251 so that as the latter is rotated, the block 123 'willbe-caused to travel axially therealong. The adjusting screw 251 may be rotatably supported through the flanges 505, 505 by any suitable bearing means; However, since the loads on the parts of such a mechanism are small and there usually is a;.minimum of relative motion in the adjusting elements 10 thereof during prolonged life of the device; the screw 251 may be rotatably supported by flanges 505, 505 in a simple manner, such as by extending the screwthrough enlarged holes 509 in the. flanges; The screw may carry against the outer faces of the flanges 505, 505, collars 510, 510 suitably fixedthereto, such as by 'set screws, so as to limit axial motion of the adjusting screw relative to the supporting flanges. As in'other embodiments, the adjusting screw 251 is suitably connected to a rotating flexibleshaft, suitably housed'in'flexible conduit-54 which extends to the remote control point' in the drivers compartment. The adjusting screw 251 may, if desired, also carry a manual hand knob 511, as is best seen in Fig. 21, so that, if desired, the device maybe'readily 'adjusted at'the location of its mounting when the device is installed. 1 1 r In operation of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 19 to 22 inch, the relative position of the accelerator pedal, which may be connected to one of the levers 437 and 441, such'a's by link 36, is readily effected by adjusting the other of those two levers relative to the former so that the space between the'link 36 and the link 44, which is connected to the throttle valve operating arm, dictates the proper effective length of the linkage for disposing the accelerator pedal at the most comfortable position for a particular driver. .Whenever the position .of the acceler-ator pedal .is to be changed to satisfy the demands of another driver, such adjustment is readily eifected by rotating by hand the adjusting screw 251 from the remote control pointby the flexible drive shaft so as tocause the block 123 to traverse in oneor the other direction a path-between the two. spaced supporting flanges 5 05, 505. The block 123in its motion carries the pivot pin 442 so as to alter the position of the lever 441, thereby changingthe space between the connected ends of the links 36 and 44. g l g As indicated ,in Fig. 23, a device similar to that proposed in Figs. 19 to 21 inclumay be associated with torque rod means to adjust in a similar mannerthe elfective length of the linkage between the accelerator pedal andthe throttle valve. For example, as shown in Fig. 23, a mechanism similar to that proposed in Fig. 19 may be provided with, however, a substantial reversal of the parts so that the lever'437, which is connected to the throttle valve-operating link 44, may be mounted upon the movable pivot 442 rather than on the fixed pivot 438. In such event, the sleeve 500 carries fixed thereto a lever arm 541 connected by link 440 to. the other end of lever 437. A cross-shaft 512 may have one end thereof extended through sleeve 500 in lieu of pin 438 and'with set screw 502 fixedly securing the shaft to the sleeve and thus to the leverarm 541. The other endof torque shaft 512 is suitably supported by other bracket means, such as that diagrammatically illustrated at513, and car ries another-lever or .crank arm '514, to which the link 36 is connected. It will be understood from the operation of 'the Figs. 19 to 22 incl. embodiment described above that with adjustment of the position of the block 123, :the pivot 442 of lever 437 may be moved to change the effective length of the linkage, particularly'sincesuch movement of that pivot point changes the angularity be tween the lower end of lever 43-7 and lover arm'541'a'nd, for similar reason, the ang'ularity between thelower end oflever 437 and the crankarrn514. r It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, amongthose made apparent from the preceding descript1on,, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may, be made in the above construction and dilferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the-above description or shown in the-accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. I. It 181318010 be understood that-the followingclaims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific feapartment'halvinglan'. initial engineaidlingtposition and movable to zigreatersopen positions to .increase irate .fuel

supply tosthe engine;:iabutment: meansin ithe patheof and defining ;;the initialiengineidling position of said throttle .atalve 'aneans twhen fll'hfi rlatter :is -abutte'd :lthereagainst; a movable accelerator foot control in the drivers compartment 1 having eanzinitial .still position .corresponding'ito the initial engineeidling :positionaofsaid throttle lvalve vmeans, said lfootrcontrol 'vbeing nepressible :by 'the-drivefls foot;

:an adjustable :controll-linkage of predetermined eflective :lengthrmaintainablezat willzto. a:constant lineal value and nonnectingisaidlfootlcontrol to said throttle valvemeans rtozmove without lost motion the latterlin 1 direct response :tothedonner away from said abutment means "to the greater open positions of said throttle valvejmeans when said ;foot-:con trol1is depressed by 'the driversfoohfrom its initial .;still position; operable length-adjusting means in said-linkage between said throttle valve means and :SRidifOOtlCOIltl'dl .settableby the driver at will to adjusted positions of change of ithe effective length of i said linkage'wh'ereby :the initialstill'position of said foot control may ;be changed while-said throttle valve means is held iinjts initial "engineaidling .position against said abutment means; biasing: means connected .to said throttle valve means between said operable length-adjusting means and said throttle valve means constantly urging'the latter toward; its initial eng'ine-idlingposition :and simultaneously through said linkageurgingsaidfoot control toward its initial ,still position :with a single resultant force less than'that applicable to the latter .by the drivers foot; awmanually1operable .'hand TOOIltIOl means mounted in said drivers compartmentin a position readily accessible to a'da-and of the tdrive-ryand 'linkageadjustment operating means connectingrsaid hand :control means to said length adjustingnieansr for manipulating the latter "upon manual operation :of ssaidrhand control "means to alter only the :initialstill :position oftsaid footcontrolvvith maintenance "of the initial engine-idling positon of said throttleya-lvemeans against said. abutment means by said biasing -:means,; said :controlzlinkage and its: included operable length-.adjustingrmeansfstructurally maintaining the adjusted effective :length of :said linkage between saidthrottle valvemeansrand' saidxfoot control through periods l of operation. of said :throttle waive means by foot manipulw tion oisaidifootrcontrdl during maintenance of-the setting ofisaidxlength adjustingzmeans. .-2. The accelerator adjustment mech as defined iniclaiml 'characterizeda'bytsaid. linkage adjustment means comprising connecting lever: means in said control linkage alterable- .of the: effective length :of the latter with change in ;position of; said lever ='means,:movable means pivotally 4, The accelerator :adjustment mechanism as defined in claim 3- :characterized by said support member :being a bracket slidably mounted .on :a' hired base :plate member, said. tbracketl and .abase. mlate 1 members having opposed SPBQCBdiPOIflOhSJiO lbamovefd toward: and: awayrfromteach 12 other i to alter the position of Ethe.levenjaivot,v saidm'eans connected jzzto usaid :hand :control :means being adapted to move .csaid sibracket rportion Zrelative :toi'said iibasejrplate portion.v 4 t I 1" LjI IT,

5. The accelerator adjustment mechanism as-flefined in claim Zariharacterized bysaid 'link ageradjustmentloperating means connected'tto' said hand control means-as comprising :a rotatable screw threadably tomove' said leversupporting means. I a v a6. Thelaccelerator adjustmentmechanismzas defined in claim 4 characterized by said/means to :move said bracket portion :relative to said base plate portion being a-screw' rotatablyt supported by. aprojection on'one lof said zbrackettand base plate members and thread-ablyengag'ed in a threaded lioleiinian opposed projection onzthe other i of saidimernbers, saidlscrew being rotatab-ly connected by 'a-flexi'ble drive toiia rotatable knoblserving as saidfihand controltmeans. o L f v i 7. The accelerator adjustment mechanism as defined in claim Zxharacterize'd by said'lever supporting means aswcomprising azmovableblock having apivot sw mgably supporting saidrlever means; said block being-movable by said "handcontrol means.

8. The accelerator adjustment unechanism as defined in claim 7 characterized'by said block having means :to cooperate with a remote control-driven screw to change the position thereof. 1

9. The accelerator'adjustment mechanismas defined injcla'im 8 characterized by'said block-having aninternallythreadedrhole' extending therethrough threadably receivingsaidscrewjwith thelatter supporting :said block and being driven from said remote .hand control means bya flexible drive." r f 310.,The acceleratorvadjustment mechanism as defined in'claim r9 characterizedwbyla fixed bracket'having a pair of spaced, outwardly projecting flanges having aligned holes "therein receiving said-screw with said :blockisupported by-xthe-latter between .said flanges, said. bracket having guide means to prevent rotation of-said blockrdur- I ingtraverse imotion ofIthe-latter;

11. The accelerator adjustment mechanism as defined in'clairn .--10 charaoterizedby saidgfiited bracket pivotally supporting a second-lever ata fixed pivot-:,point,1isaid movable-pivot and fixed-pivot levers *beingli'nked to.- gether oneconnectedito saidacceleratori'foot control and the otherzconnected'ito said-throttle valve means;

12 Theqaccelerator iadjustment mechanism'as idefined in claim "1 flcharacterizedv by r a vflexible pull kmeniberin- -corpor atediinsaidlinkalge sheave 'guidepmeans for said flexiblepull member; and means including :saidtrem'ote hand. control ;means to adjust :said sheave guide :means to vary jthe :path 'of {saidiflexible pull me1nber .for changing the effective ;leng'th1of. said linkage.

:13. The iaccelerator. adjustment mechanism defined in claim 12 characterized by said sheave :guide means as comprisingramovable sheave and said flexible pull'memberaascomprising a cable lapped thereagainsfl said sheave being 'zpivotally mounted on movable mounting means acljustabl-y= positioned by said remote hand control means. -14-. The accelerator adjustment mechanism as fdefined 'in clalirn I 3 characterized bysaid sheave guide means as 'includingafpair tofsp ac'ed ;at"fixed locationstagainst l whichisaid cablais lapped with said'sheavebeinglocated therebetween and movable in a; P th tr'ansv'erse'to a line extending from one to the other of said guides, whereby the length ofcableato extendfrom one to the other ofsaid guides .;and against .said Isheave. may be varied byrchang e in positionofsaid sheave. i

I 15; The accelerator adjustmentmechanism as-defined in claim l'characterized by 'said-linkageadjustable means i as comprising a; pairof members pivotally connected together with :one linked to :said'fobt =control=and theiother to "said @throttle valvelmeans raticertaintrlinking prints are moteifrornrthei-pivotal connection thereof, mama's for 13 adjusting the angular relation of said members to chang the distance between said linking points.

16. Accelerator foot control or pedal position adjusting mechanism for internal combustion engines of conventional automobiles characterized by separated engine and drivers compartments and comprising, in combination; a settable throttle valve in the engine compartment having an initial engine-idling position and movable to greater open positions to increase rate of fuel supply to the engine; abutment means in the path of and defining the initial position of said throttle valve when the latter is abutted thereagainst; a movable accelerator foot control mounted in the drivers compartment having an adjustable still position corresponding to the initial engine-idling position of said throttle valve, said foot control being depressible by the drivers foot; an adjustable control linkage of predetermined efiective length maintainable at will to a selected constant lineal value and connecting said foot control to said throttle valve to move without lost motion the latter in direct response to the former away from said abutment means to the greater open positions of said throttle valve when said foot control is depressed by the drivers foot from its initial still position; operable length-adjusting means in said linkage between said throtle valve and said foot control settable by the driver at will to adjusted positions of change of the effective length of said linkage for attaining adjustment of the still position of said foot control at any particular setting of the initial engineidling position of said throttle valve against said abutment means without elfecting change in engine-idling position of said throttle valve, said length-adjusting means comprising a linkage section having opposed elongated members movably connected together for longitudinal length-adjusting motion to temporarily set positions relative to each other and longitudinally-spaced means connecting said linkage section into said linkage with said longitudinally-spaced connecting means being caused to approach each other when said linkage section members are moved longitudinally toward each other to effect foreshortening of said linkage section and consequentially foreshorten the effective operative length of said linkage and with said longitudinally-spaced connecting means being caused to recede from each other when said linkage section members are moved longitudinally away from each other to eifect lengthening of said linkage section and consequentially lengthen the eifective operative length of said linkage; spring means connected to said throttle valve between said linkage section and said throttle valve constantly urging the latter toward said abutment means with a certain force in a direction simultaneously to move said throttle valve to its engine idling position dictated by said abutment means and said foot control to its initial still position when the driver's foot applies less force to said linkage in the opposite direction by pressure on said foot control; a remote, hand 14 operable control mounted in the drivers compartment in a readily accessible position with respect to the driver's hands; and operating means connecting said hand operable control to said linkage section selectively to move said linkage section members toward and away from each other to relatively set positions to effect adjustment of the effective length of said linkage section and attendant adjustment of the effective length of said control linkage upon manipulation of said hand operable control by the driver, said control linkage and its lengthadjusting section structurally maintaining the adjusted effective length of the former between said throttle valve and foot control through periods of operation of said throttle valve by manipulation of said foot control during maintenance of the setting of said linkage section.

17. The accelerator adjustment mechanism as defined in claim 16 characterized by said linkage section members being telescopically mounted together for axial adjustment relative to each other, said telescoped members being movably connected together by mechanism for telescopically moving one in the other, said hand operable control being mechanically connected to said mechanism for operating the latter.

18. The accelerator adjustment mechanism as defined in claim 17 characterized by said mechanism including a pair of interengaging screw means with said hand control being. adapted to rotate one with respect to the other to eifect the relative adjustment.

19. The accelerator adjustment mechanism as defined in claim 18 characterized by one of said screw means being an internally-threaded female member and the other being an externally-threaded male member mated therein with one being rotatable by said hand control relative to the other to effect the relative telescopic movement thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,443,510 Thomas Jan. 30, 1923 1,496,357 Page June 3, 1924 1,646,937 Spiro Oct. 25, 1927 1,994,651 Kingston Mar. 19, 1935 2,118,730 Kalbrier May 24, 1938 2,236,145 Kolb Mar. 25, 1941 2,313,000 Hauguel Mar. 2, 1943 2,506,940 Ryder May 9, 1950 2,548,994 Miller et a1. Apr. 17, 1951 2,613,548 Davis Oct. 14, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,224 Great Britain Apr. 5, 1905 9,866 Great Britain June 2, 1904 of 1904 685,427 Great Britain Jan. 7, 1953 

